See you soon, Auntie Bessie!

i was completely humbled and blessed by the eulogy for auntie bessie today... there was much sorrow because we will miss her here in on earth, but there will be great rejoicing when we are reunited in heaven!

below, you will find most of her eulogy (with some of my own commentary). it's lengthy, but you will be blessed by what a tremendous testimony of Christ her life was. how will you be remembered? what really matters?

bessie came to the us in 1973 and settled in la, ca. she married felix in 1976. they supported each other and worked hard to build their family through many troubles and hardships (for 31 years!). their family now consists of two married sons, their wives and one granddaughter: jonathan, the eldest son, his wife grace, and daughter elizabeth; jeremy, the youngest son and his wife priscilla. all their children are high achievers. they are devoted to Christ and enjoy serving the Lord (what a blessing to be in a family of believers!). they are bessie's pride and joy.

in addition to bringing up her family well, bessie had excellent work ethics. bessie worked diligently and enjoyed good relationships with her co-workers and clients. she was loved by her colleagues. bessie became a Christian and was baptized at mbcla in jan '96. she devoted herself to serving the Lord, and whole-heartedly built her family upon Christian principles. bessie was noble, gentle, quiet and long-suffering (prov 31 woman). she always put the needs of others before her own. bessie was also generous and kind and especially compassionate towards the elderly.

bessie experienced the hardest time of her life btwn june 2003 and february 2008 in her continuous battle with cancer. yet by the grace of God, those challenging years were transformed into the most blessed and joyful years of bessie's life. bessie was diagnosed with lung cancer in june 2003 and had surgery in the subsequent month. in december 2003, a brain tumor was detected. bessie received 4 surgeries in 2004 and 6 permanent holes were drilled into her skull on account of these treatments.

in the testimonies shared, bessie credited her ability to transcend pain and suffering to two vital supportive factors: God's grace, compassion and love, coupled with the care and prayer support of her fellow members in Christ. bessie trusted God whole-heartedly. she clung to His promise in philippians 4:6-7, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." these words of God brought bessie comfort, encouragement, healing and peace.

in the past four and a half years, bessie's desire for the Lord was like a deer thirsting for the living brook. she confessed to God and studied His Word diligently, committing many Bible verses to heart. she found faith and strength from His promises. she sought the Lord with faith. she experienced God and found joy in His presence. bessie kept telling others that she felt so very blessed by God!

bessie thanked the Lord for His enriching presence in her life. she was thankful that He had answered her prayers beyond her dreams. in spite of her physical condition, bessie was always beaming with joy -- a joy that radiated from her unfeigned smiles: "i finally realized that a joyful heart is the best medicine!" she would often say. God granted bessie a new lease on life, and her strength was renewed like that of an eagle.

on december 31, 2007, bessie was hospitalized on account of dizziness and nausea. further testing revealed that the cancer had recurred in her brain in a critical form. knowing that she had no way to fight the cancer on her own strength, bessie received the news with submission and surrendered herself completely to God. during her last hospitalization, bessie was bedridden and could hardly speak. yet with closed eyes, she still repeatedly prayed, recited God's words, and sang God's praise quietly in her heart. Her favorite lines were from psalm 23:

"even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me... you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and i will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

bessie was a courageous cancer fighter. she clung to God's promise in 2 chronicles 20:15, 17: "do not be afraid or discouraged, for the battle is not yours, but God's... you will not have to fight the battle. take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you." bessie was neither fearful nor anxious. she stood still, trusted whole-heartedly, and waited upon the Lord. she kept the faith, fought the good fight, and finished her race. bessie went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ at mid-day on february 17, 2008. she has rested from her earthly tasks; henceforth she will enjoy only peace and joy in the presence of Christ.

bessie's greatest blessing in life is to have received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. she has experienced abundant blessings from God, therefore her life naturally overflows with beautiful testimonies for Christ!

God is good

hmmm... what's new with me? i should make it a better habit of updating this thing.

facebook has allowed more access i believe - who really knew that i had a blog before that? probably only a few of my closest friends...

- spring semester has started! festival, musicals (oliver! and the music man) are coming up, i have a wonderful student teacher, and i LOVE working with my students... i look forward to each and every new day with them (well, most of the time)

- visited david gray in corcoran state prison a few weeks ago... how humbling it truly is to see God's work through him there... he is a remarkable servant - no complaints and only praise to God most high. my life is SO blessed...

- stm mexico is on! looking fwd to growing closer to my team as we begin to meet and collaborate and see how God will use us there this summer. please pray for all the details: finances, preparations (vbs and youth conference), team unity, worshipful/servant hearts and the hearts of those who we'll be working and interacting with there...

- growing deeper in the Word as i have a new, personalized reading program that incorporates both the Daily Bible and John Mac's Study Bible to help with understanding... it's really helping me to understand the Word and love God more!

- choir/core group/310/foundry have been a blessing: praise God for a mentor from the choir, a very cool worship team and sisters that truly speak the truth in love...

- i LOVE my family!!! YAY for chinese new year in sd and bonding over rockband... we have a new family gong, too! haha rock on...

- trying new restaurants in la and the long beach area... been spending more time over there with a very special guy in my life :)

i guess that's everything in a nutshell... praise God for His abundant faithfulness, grace and mercy.